Cosmetic preparations containing isopropyl ester of methyl heptadecanoic acid



United States Patent Int. Cl. A611 23/00 US. Cl. 42459 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Cosmetic preparations incorporating an isopropyl alcohol ester of a branched chain octadecanoic acid, especially a methyl-substituted heptadecanoic acid, whereby,

among other things, markedly improved emolliency properties are imparted to the preparation.

This invention relates to cosmetic preparations and, in particular, is concerned with improvements in such cosmetic preparations as skin creams, bath oils, hair dressings, shaving lotions, sun tan lotions, and the like.

The use of fatty acid esters of low molecular weight alcohols in cosmetic preparations has long been known. While such compounds serve various functions in cosmetic preparations, the emollient effect thpy provide is a prime consideration in their use. Of this group of esters, the one most generally utilized and which has heretofore been found to be most satisfactory in cosmetic preparations as an emollient is isopropyl myristate. Nevertheless, its use has been attended with various objections. Thus, for example, its limited solubility makes it difficult to obtain clear cosmetic preparations, especially such preparations as after-shave lotions and suntan lotions. In addition, in the case of various individuals, isopropyl myristate has some tendency to cause undesirable effects on the skin. Furthermore, the skin lubricating properties of this compound do not, in all instances, provide the smooth feel or slip sought from the use of emollientcontaining cosmetic preparations.

In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that cosmetic preparations having materially improved emolliency characteristics can be attained by including in their formulation as the emollient an isopropyl alcohol ester of a branched chain octadecanoic acid, especially desirably a methyl-substituted heptadecanoic acid. The markedly improved emollient effects provided by incorporating such an ester in cosmetic preparations over those obtained with conventional emollients such, for example, as isopropyl myristate, are manifested by the rapid development of a smooth, well-lubricated feeling on the skin and the complete absence of any astringent after-effects. Furthermore, it has been discovered that clear cosmetic preparations can be obtained with greater facility through the use of emollients as taught by the present invention than is possible with conventional emollients of the type referred to hereinabove. These advantages, moreover, can be attained without any necessity for deviating from standard manufacturing practices and at little or no increase in raw material costs.

As stated hereinabove, the objectives of the present invention are met by utilizing an isopropyl alcohol ester of a branched chain octadecanoic acid, particularly a methyl-substituted heptadecanoic acid, exemplified to 16- methylheptadecanoic acid. While such acids are known to occur naturally in mammalian fatty tissue, for instance, they are present in such small amounts that their extraction is commercially impractical. They are, therefore, prepared synthetically and are oifered on the market usually in admixture with other higher molecular weight branched chain or unbranched chain carboxylic acids. One such mixture of acids containing a high percentage of methylheptadecanoic acid is available commercially under the trade designation Emery '3185-R. This prodnot, when esterified with isopropyl alcohol, under conventional esterification conditions, provides a particularly satisfactory emollient in accordance with the present invention when incorporated into cosmetic preparations. Generally speaking, commercial mixtures of higher molecular weight aliphatic monocarboxylic acids containing predominately 14 to 18 carbon atoms and in which methylheptadecanoic acid is present in proportions of at least 735% by weightare suitable for the production of the isopropyl alcohol esters used pursuant to the present invention.

A typical ester formed by'reacting the aforementioned methylheptadecanoic acid containing mixture with isopropyl alcohol has generally the following properties:

Color at 440/550 m 96/100 FFA, percent: 0.2-

Pour point, C.: --15 Saponification value: 176.1

Acid value: 0.4

Ester value: 175.7 Viscosity at 25 C. centistokes: 9.2 Solubility in 100% EtOH at R.T.: 100% Specific gravity at 20 C.: 0.857

The isopropyl alcohol utilized in forming the ester can be any of a number of standard grades readily commercially available. No special equipment is necessary to eifect esterification, and the ester can 'be isolated in accordance with conventional product separation techniques.

The amount of the isopropyl alcohol ester of the branched chain octadecanoic acid used in a cosmetic preparation in accordance withthe practice of this invention will vary within appreciable limits, and will be largely dependent on the nature and intended use of the preparation. Thus, for example, in utilizing the ester in the formulation of an after-shave lotion,-the quantity, by weight, will range from about 3 to 6%, usually about 4%. When, on the other hand, the ester is used in formulating a bath oil, the quantity, by weight, employed will range from about 90 to 97%, usually about 95%. In the case of a sun tan lotion formulated with the ester, a suitable sun screening agent such, for example, as glyceryl p-amino benzoate, will be used in conventional amounts, generally ranging from about 1 to about 5%, usually about 2 to 3%, by weight, while the amount of the ester will generally range from about 10 to about 20% although it may be used in an amount up to about 98%, by Weight. Generally speaking, the esters are used in proportions'ofthe same'order in which isopropyl Bath oil Percent Isopropyl alcohol ester of methylheptadecanoic acid Ethanol 5 3 EXAMPLE 2 Bath oil Percent Isopropyl alcohol ester of methylheptadecanoic acid 45 Light mineral oil 45 Arlacel C (sorbitan sesquioleate) 5 Perfume 5 EXAMPLE 3 Skin cream Percent Diethanol stearamide 3 Stearic acid 2.5 Isopropyl alcohol ester of methylheptadecan'oic acid 5 Light mineral oil 2 Water 87.5 Preservative, q.s.

Perfume, q.s.

EXAMPLE 4 Hair dressing Percent Diethanol stearamide 3 Stearic acid nu 2.75 Isopropyl alcohol ester of methylheptadecanoic acid 5 Lanolin (anhydrous) 2 Light mineral oil 25 Water 62.25 Perfume, q.s.

Preservative, q.s.

EXAMPLE 5 Pre-shave lotion Percent Isopropyl alcohol ester of methylheptadecanoic acid 15 Ethyl alcohol 85 EXAMPLE 6 After shave lotion Percent Isopropyl alcohol ester of methylheptadecano-ic acid 4 Ethyl alcohol 96 EXAMPLE 7 Hair dressing Percent Isopropyl alcohol ester of methylheptadecanoic acid 30 Ucon LB-385 (Polyalkylene glycol polymer) Perfume, q.s.

EXAMPLE 8 Sun tan lotion Percent Isopropyl alcohol ester of methylheptadecanoic acid 15 Isopropyl alcohol 60 Glyceryl p-amino benzoate 3.0 Water 22 The foregoing products, as well as others that may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, can be manufactured in accordance with procedures well known in the cosmetic industry. No special equipment or conditions are required for incorporating the isopropyl alcohol esters of the aforesaid branched chain octadecanoic acids in the cosmetic preparations. Thus, the practice of the present invention enables the production of cosmetic preparations having materially improved properties without added expense or inconvenience to the manufacturer.

What is claimed is:

1. A cosmetic preparation containing at least one cosmetic ingredient and in addition thereto an emollient in a proportion in the range of 2% to 98% by Weight of the total cosmetic preparation, said emollient being an isopropyl alcohol ester of a mixture of higher molecular weight aliphatic monocarboxylic acids containing predominately 14 to 18 carbon atoms and in which heptadecanoic acid is present in proportions of at least 35% by weight, said ester being characterized by substantially the following properties:

Color at 440/550 III/1.2 96/100 FFA, percent: 0.2

Pour point, C.: -15

Saponification value: 176

Acid value: 0.4

Ester value: 175

Viscosity at 25 C. centistokes: 9.2 Solubility in 100% EtOH at R.T.: 100% Specific gravity at 20 C.: 0.8.

2. A cosmetic preparation according to claim 1, in the form of a bath oil containing, by weight, about 5% of ethanol and 95% of said isopropyl alcohol ester.

3. A cosmetic preparation according to claim 1, in the form of an after-shave lotion, containing, by weight, about 96% of ethanol and about 4% of said isopropyl alcohol ester.

4. A cosmetic preparation according to claim 1, in the form of a pre-shave lotion containing, by weight, about ethyl alcohol and about 15% of said isopropyl alcohol ester.

5. A cosmetic preparation according to claim 1, in the form of a sun tan lotion, containing, by weight, from about 1 to 5% of a sun screen agent and up to about 98% of said isopropyl alcohol ester.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,293,551 8/1942 Kunz et al. l6765 3,210,248 10/1965 Feldrnann et a1. 167-91 X FOREIGN PATENTS 841,903 7/1960 Great Britain.

OTHER REFERENCES M. G. De Navarre, Branched Chain Compounds in Cosmetics, American Perfumer and Cosmetics, vol. 78 October 1963 p. 79-81.

Applic. of Fatty Acid Esters by I. I. Lubowe Soap, Perfume & Cosmetics, June 1959, p. 605-609.

ALBERT T. MEYERS, Primary Examiner D. R. ORE, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

